Coronavirus - Berkshire schools close for deep clean as patient numbers increase in the region

Three schools in Berkshire are shut for deep cleaning, after a staff member tested positive for the virus.

A member of Willow Bank Infant School have been told to self-isolate as a precaution.

A school in Bracknell is closed for deep cleaning, although not directly linked to the other schools.

Another new case are family members of a man from Surrey, the first person to have contracted the virus here in the UK. They include one adult in Surrey, and two adults in West Sussex.

The UK will see "more widespread infection" of coronavirus in the coming weeks, a senior Public Health England (PHE) official has warned.

Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of PHE, said more cases could be challenging for the UK and it was important to reduce the spread of infection.

Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain: "At the moment, the vast majority of cases we see in the UK are still linked to countries where there is more widespread infection, either in Italy or south east Asia.

"It is true to say there is a small number now where it is much more difficult to find that link, and that is leading us to think we may well see more widespread infection in the UK fairly soon.

"It could happen in the next few days or it could take a little longer."

It comes as the EU has raised the risk of coronavirus from moderate to high.

There is no advice yet as to not to travel on the train, as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps explains:

  • Grant Shapps - Secretary of State for Transport:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell those signing off the Government's battle plan to fight coronavirus there is “little doubt” the disease will present a “significant challenge” for the UK.

Mr Johnson will chair a Cobra meeting about coronavirus for the first time on Monday as he finalises the steps ministers will take should the outbreak worsen.

Ahead of the Cobra meeting, Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the Government is "working flat out" to deal with the virus.

She said: "We have got a very good plan in place to deal with coronavirus."

  • Liz Truss MP- Secretary of State for International Trade:

Two schools in Berkshire have closed for deep cleaning after one of its staff members became infected on a trip to Italy. The schools are currently undergoing a deep clean.

Aldryngton Primary School in Earley Credit: ITV Meridian

Parents of Aldryngton Primary School in Earley have been told to keep their children at home on Monday, March 2, to allow the school to undergo a deep clean.

The school says that any risk of infection is very low and that the clean is a precautionary measure.

The closure has been caused after an infected person attended a training session at the Silverdale Road school on Tuesday, February 25.

They are a staff member of Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley, which is also being closed as some staff members are self-isolating.

The headteacher of Aldryngton Primary let parents know in an on-line letter, saying the decision had been made after consultation with Public Health England.

One parent from one of the schools say's not enough is being done to make sure the virus does not spread:

  • Laura New - parent:

Great Hollands Primary School in Bracknell is closed until Thursday 5th March as a precaution as here is a member of their school community who is showing symptoms potentially associated with the virus.

For more information about Coronavirus, please click on the links below:

  • For the latest update on coronavirus in the south of the region, click to watch Rachel Hepworth's report below:

  • For the latest update on coronavirus in the Thames Valley region, click to watch Mel Bloor's report below: